Big Ten Tournament: Penn State vs. Illinois odds, picks and predictions

The Penn State Nittany Lions (19-12, 10-10 Big Ten) take on the Illinois Fighting Illini (20-11, 11-9) Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip from United Center is set for 6:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook's lines around the Penn State vs. Illinoisodds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Penn State failed to cover as a 3.5-point home favorite in a 65-64 victory over Maryland in its regular-season finale Sunday. It won back-to-back games, and 5 of its last 6, to end the year. The Nittany Lions are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 games and sit at 16-13-2 ATS this season.

Illinois covered as a 7-point road underdog in a 76-71 loss at Purdue Sunday in its final game of the regular season. The Fighting Illini are 5-5 straight up and ATS in their last 10 games and finished the regular season 18-13 ATS.

Penn State beat Illinois in both matchups this season, winning 74-59 as a 10-point road underdog on Dec. 10 and 93-81 as a 3.5-point home underdog on Feb. 14.

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